Exploring the Elements of
Poetry
Introduction
Task
Resources
Evaluation
Conclusion
Standards
A WebQuest for 6th Grade
(Reading)
Designed by – Cindy Gregory
Introduction
Poetry can sometimes seem like it’s an
encrypted message from outer space.
Throughout the next few days, you will
work your way through this webquest to
learn to decipher this secret code. This
webquest will guide you to explore
several different websites that will help
you learn to be a better reader and
thinker. You will be a step closer to
understanding poetry.
Your Task
The first step in understanding the secret code
of poetry is looking into the language in
which it is written. You will explore several
elements of poetry: mood, tone, imagery,
personification, simile, alliteration,
onomatopoeia, assonance, refrain, and
rhyme scheme. Follow the instructions that
follow on the next few slides and write your
responses on your answer sheet.
Task 1: Mood, Metaphor, Tone
Mood
Metaphor
Tone
The feeling a poem
creates for the reader
An implied comparison
between 2 objects or
ideas
The attitude a poet takes
toward a subject
Go to Poem Hunter to read the poem Democracy, by Langston
Hughes.
1. What is an example of a metaphor in this poem?
2. How would you describe the mood of the poem?
3. How would you describe the author’s tone? Explain.
4. Define democracy. Why do you think Langston Hughes wrote
this poem in 1949?
Task 2: Alliteration, Refrain, and
Rhyme Scheme
Alliteration
Refrain
Rhyme Scheme
The repetition of an
initial (beginning)
consonant sound in two
or more words near one
another
The repetition of one or
more phrases or lines
usually at the end of
each stanza. Similar to
the chorus of a song.
The pattern in which the
end rhyme occurs.
Example:
Continuous as the stars that shine (A)
And twinkle on the milky way (B)
They stretched in never ending line (A)
Along the margin of a bay (B)
Ten thousand saw I at a glance ( C)
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance ©
Go to Visualize Poetry and read Two Inches Tall, by Shel
Silverstein.
5. What would be considered the refrain?
6. List 2 examples of alliteration.
7. This poem follows the rhyme scheme of AABBBC. Write
an additional stanza for this poem using the same rhyme scheme.
Task 3: Simile
Simile
A direct comparison between two
objects or ideas that uses the words
“like” or “as”
Go to Baseball Alamanac and read Robert Francis’ poem,
The Base Stealer.
8. What is an example of a simile written in the poem?
9. What two things is the poem comparing through the use
of simile?
Task 4: Personification
Personification
Giving human traits or
characteristics to animals or
objects
Visit the site, Thinkquest, to read 3 examples of
personification.
10. List an example of personification from each of the three
poems given.
Task 5: Imagery
Imagery
Representation of the five senses: sight,
taste, touch, sound, and smell to create
mental images about a poem’s subject
Read the poem, White Eyes, by visiting The Poetry
Foundation.
11. Think about the imagery in this poem and describe how
this poem uses imagery.
Task 6: Assonance
Assonance
The repetition of a vowel sound in two or
more words in the line of a poem Example:
Which is the bliss of solitude
In the poem, We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks, many
examples of assonance are used. Read her poem at The
Poetry Foundation and complete the task.
12. Give three examples of assonance from the poem.
Task 7: Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia
Word or words imitating a noise
The poems found at Funny Poems contain several examples
of onomatopoeia.
13. List 6 words in the poem that are onomatopoeia.
14. Think of 3 additional examples of your own.
Your Next Task
The next step to understanding the secret
code is to examine some famous poets.
You will discover specific examples of how
poets can use this language. Take the time
to read the examples and make some
connections with the "codes" you have
learned so far.
Task 8: Jack Prelutsky
Listen to Mr. Prelusky read his poem,
"Louder than a Clap of Thunder“.
15. What are 5 comparisons to how loud
father snores?
16. Read his biography. What was one of his
favorite foods he wrote a poem about?
Task 9: Brod Bagert
Most of Broad Bagert’s poetry is written to
be funny and read aloud.
17. How does Brod Bagert explain writing in
voice?
18. What is Jennifer's Secret?
Task 10: Kenn Nesbitt
Visit Poet Kenn Nesbitt and his site Poetry
for Kids. Click on frequently asked
questions.
19 What does Mr. Nesbitt say about why he
writes poetry?
Task 11: Robert Pottle
Visit the site of Robert Pottle. Look over his
list of funny poems.
20.Choose two of them to read and then
rate it from 1-5 (1 being least and 5 being
best).
21.What the name of the teacher that left
the voice mail message?
Task 12:Robert Frost
Read Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not
Taken.
22. What do you think he meant by “I took
the one less traveled by, and that has made
all the difference”?
Your Final Task
To further crack the “poetic code,” you will
need to examine different types of poems
and experiment with using the code to
write some of your own.
Task 13: Acrostic
Go to this site to explore and write your
own acrostic poem.
23. What is an acrostic poem?
24. Write and print one online. Attach it to
your answer sheet.
Task 14: Diamante
Go to this site to explore and write your
own diamante poem.
25. What is a diamante poem?
26. Write and print one online. Attach it to
your answer sheet.
Task 15: Haiku
Go to this site to explore and write your
own haiku.
27. What is a haiku?
28. Use the online haiku maker and write
yours down on your answer sheet.
Wrap Up
29. Agree or Disagree: I enjoy exploring
topics through webquests.
30. From 1-10 (1 being least and 10 being
most), how much did you learn about
poetry through this webquest?
Evaluation
Webquest Rubric
Conclusion
You have unlocked the secret code of poetry. It
should no longer seem like an encrypted message.
Congratulations!